LINCOLN, Neb. — The door to enter the transfer portal is closed.

Unless a late entry slid through that’s gone noticed, Nebraska will have seen the departure of nine scholarship players in the two offseason periods for undergraduate declarations. In this age of college football, that’s a low number — and a testament to the program that second-year coach Matt Rhule has built with the intention to maximize retention and development.

But in four months, Nebraska coaches will select a practice roster for preseason camp. In March, the NCAA issued a blanket waiver to expand the participant limit to 120.

Below is a projection of that roster, based on the 150-player roster as it stands after the spring.

Not included are wide receiver Demitrius Bell, who suffered a knee injury on Saturday in the spring game, defensive lineman Leslie Black and defensive back Evan Taylor, both amid injury recoveries expected to last into next season.

We’ll next update the 120 in August. Read January’s 115 roster update here.

Quarterback (5)

Heinrich Haarberg, junior, 6-foot-5, 215 pounds: Eight-game starter in 2023 worked to improve his mechanics and looked comfortable in the pocket this spring.

Luke Longval, sophomore, 6-2, 200: Top walk-on at the position is needed for depth.

Daniel Kaelin, freshman, 6-3, 210: High-ceiling early enrollee would benefit from time to develop.

Bode Soukup, freshman, 6-2, 190: Walk-on threw for more than 3,000 yards and 30 TDs in final two years at Blair (Neb.) High.

Dylan Raiola, freshman, 6-3, 220: Five-star signee and top candidate to start exceeded expectations at spring game.

Synopsis: Raiola’s two touchdown throws and 238 passing yards in the spring game jump-started excitement levels. Rhule won’t name a starter until August and expects that Nebraska will need three QBs. The challenge now is to manage expectations.

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Running back (7)

Rahmir Johnson, senior, 5-10, 185: Poised for a strong final season after recovering from shoulder injury.

Maurice Mazzccua, senior, 5-8, 175: Third-down back emerged in practice last year and built upon success in spring.

Gabe Ervin, junior, 6-0, 220: Hip injury last year forced highly regarded runner to direct traffic from sideline this spring.

Dante Dowdell, sophomore, 6-2, 215: Former four-star Oregon signee led all rushers in spring game.

Emmett Johnson, sophomore, 5-11, 190: Well-rounded back started six of final seven games last year.

Kwinten Ives, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 185: Strong runner preserved redshirt despite backfield depth issues.

Kenneth Williams, redshirt freshman, 5-11, 175: Speedy Lincoln East grad attended three years of high school in Michigan.

Synopsis: Who’s the workhorse? The Huskers might not need one, but they need multiple backs who can handle a load and excel in pass protection. If Ervin is healthy and back to top form by August, he’s the leader.

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Fullback (3)

Barret Liebentritt, junior, 6-0, 235: Played linebacker at Notre Dame and in seven games offensively for Nebraska last year.

Trevor Ruth, sophomore, 6-0, 235: Nebraska-Kearney transfer and nephew of famed former fullbacks Jeff and Joel Makovicka.

Izaac Dickey, freshman, 5-10, 210: Big-bodied early enrollee ran for 899 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior in Stromsburg, Neb.

Synopsis: A pro-style offense could create more opportunities to touch the ball for a fullback like Liebentritt, who has the skill but was slowed by an injury last year.

Tight end (8)

Nate Boerkircher, junior, 6-5, 245: Started 11 games over the past two seasons and brings valuable experience.

Thomas Fidone II, junior, 6-6, 250: Sheer talent, added size and good health place former top recruit in line for big season.

Luke Lindenmeyer, sophomore, 6-3, 260: Started five games last year and showed high-level blocking ability.

Cayden Echternach, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 230: Depth piece out of Bellevue West at young position.

Ismael Smith Flores, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 225: Multi-sport star in high school whose dad was an All-American at Iowa.

Ian Flynt, freshman, 6-4, 255: Early enrollee with a track pedigree caught a 29-yard pass from Raiola in the spring game.

Eric Ingwerson, freshman, 6-6, 250: Equally as talented in high school on D-line as at tight end.

Carter Nelson, freshman, 6-5, 225: Big things expected from eight-man star and prep All-American in Ainsworth, Neb.

Synopsis: With OC Marcus Satterfield running this deep and mutli-faceted group, it ought to give Nebraska a dangerous element in the passing game and assistance in the ground game. Fidone, Smith Flores and Nelson are especially skilled in the air.

Thomas Fidone led Nebraska with four touchdown catches in 2023. (Dylan Widger / USA Today)

Wide receiver (15)

Jahmal Banks, senior, 6-4, 205: Wake Forest transfer emerged as team leader with WR1 potential in first season at Nebraska.

Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda, senior, 6-0, 190: Held out in the spring while recovering from knee surgery.

Isaiah Neyor, senior, 6-3, 215: Texas transfer shows elite athleticism and ability to run after catch.

Elliott Brown, junior, 5-11, 180: Valuable walk-on suffered knee injury late last season.

Alex Bullock, junior, 6-2, 205: Started eight games and caught 15 passes in first major playing time.

Janiran Bonner, sophomore, 6-2, 220: Does everything well and moved back to original position after past year at fullback.

Malachi Coleman, sophomore, 6-4, 190: Missed spring for shoulder rehab after flashing high ceiling in six starts as true freshman.

Jaylen Lloyd, sophomore, 5-10, 160: Key weapon with elite speed displayed major offseason improvement after breakout first year.

Roman Mangini, sophomore, 5-10, 170: Adds depth and figures to factor on special teams.

Jaidyn Doss, redshirt freshman, 5-11, 190: Dabbled at receiver and DB in spring after four-game redshirt season.

Jacory Barney, freshman, 6-0, 170: Former prep QB out of Miami shined bright in spring and factors immediately in rotation.

Quinn Clark, freshman, 6-5, 205: Son of ex-Nebraska running Ken Clark brings outstanding size.

Dae’vonn Hall, freshman, 6-1, 190: Part of Bellevue West trio that was first from same high school to sign with Huskers since 1987.

Isaiah McMorris, freshman, 5-10, 170: Hall’s prep teammate caught a state-record 90 passes as a junior.

Keelan Smith, freshman, 6-2, 205: Large-class offensive player of the year in Missouri and son of Nebraska legend Neil Smith.

Synopsis: Banks, Neyor and Barney alone transform the look here. But the older receivers’ presence allows Lloyd, Coleman and Doss to grow on schedule, a bonus that figures to pay dividends beyond this season.

Offensive linemen (23)

Bryce Benhart, senior, 6-9, 315: Back for a sixth season after tying school-record 41 starts at right tackle.

Turner Corcoran, senior, 6-6, 310: On the mend from a knee injury after 30 consecutive starts and set possibly to help at multiple spots.

Micah Mazzccua, senior, 6-5, 325: Transfer via Florida and Baylor showed strength and power on the practice field this spring.

Ben Scott, senior, 6-5, 305: Honorable-mention All-Big Ten pick at center last year has 39 Power 5 starts at Nebraska and Arizona State.

Ru’Quan Buckley, junior, 6-5, 295: Good fit on offense as rotational guard after move from defense late last year.

Henry Lutovsky, junior, 6-6, 325: Four-game starter could run with first team at guard and add tackle depth.

Joey Mancino, junior, 6-1, 295: Walk-on earned one start at left guard last year.

Teddy Prochazka, junior, 6-10, 325: Returned from two injury-shortened seasons to take over at left tackle in second half of 2023.

Justin Evans, sophomore, 6-1, 315: Five-game starter last year with versatility to play guard and center.

Jacob Hood, sophomore, 6-8, 350: Transfer from Georgia has worked to get healthy in first year with Huskers

Tyler Knaak, sophomore, 6-6, 325: Utah transfer developed into top reserve tackle after redshirt.

Dylan Parrott, sophomore, 6-5, 330: Walk-on with big frame got in three games last year.

Gunnar Gottula, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 295: Backup tackle preserved redshirt while appearing in four games.

Brock Knutson, redshirt freshman, 6-7, 305: Developmental tackle did not play in first season.

Jason Maciejczak, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 320: Switched from D-line and excited coaches with athleticism.

Grant Seagren, redshirt freshman, 6-6, 260: Walk-on added 35 pounds from listed weight in first months on campus.

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Sam Sledge, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 285: Worked into spot on two-deep at left guard while redshirting.

Grant Brix, freshman, 6-6, 285: Early enrolling top-100 prospect picked Huskers over Oklahoma.

Landen Davidson, freshman, 6-4, 310: June commit last year out of Colorado’s backyard.

Jake Peters, freshman, 6-3, 260: Three-sport standout from Iowa committed during June camp flurry.

Gibson Pyle, freshman, 6-5, 300: Early enrollee played in All-American Bowl in January.

Xander Ruggeroli, freshman, 6-6, 285: Late bloomer out of Las Vegas was last to join O-line class.

Preston Taumua, freshman, 6-4, 320: Top-rated prospect out of Hawaii played in Polynesian Bowl.

Synopsis: More than 150 starts return at the Power 5 level up front for the Huskers’ most improved position group in 2023. Nebraska is not just deep; it has multiple NFL prospects, at least one of whom could start the season as a reserve.

Defensive linemen (16)

Nash Hutmacher, senior, 6-4, 330: Following 4.5-sack season by wrestling at 285 pounds and will play closer to 310.

Ty Robinson, senior, 6-6, 310: Leader returns for  sixth year on the interior with 33 starts over four seasons.

Jimari Butler, junior, 6-4, 245: Started six games and led Blackshirts with 8.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks.

Elijah Jeudy, junior, 6-3, 280: Texas A&M transfer appeared in 11 games in first year with Huskers.

AJ Rollins, junior, 6-5, 245: Moved from tight end last spring and appeared in four games.

Cameron Lenhardt, sophomore, 6-3, 250: Standout true freshman recorded five TFLs and three sacks.

Brodie Tagaloa, sophomore, 6-4, 260: Back after missing 2023 season with injury after move from tight end.

Riley Van Poppel, sophomore, 6-5, 275: Promising tackle made a major impact as true freshman.

Kai Wallin, sophomore, 6-5, 250: Junior-college transfer played in four games and redshirted.

James Williams, sophomore, 6-5, 235: Working to diversify skill set after rise from scout team to pass-rushing specialist as redshirt.

Vincent Carroll-Jackson, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 270: Debuted in season finale after bringing limited prep experience.

Mason Goldman, redshirt freshman, 6-5, 260: Found a home on the D-line while battling back from injuries.

Sua Lefotu, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 300: Californian impressed teammates in spring as older tackles received limited reps.

Ashton Murphy, freshman, 6-4, 225: Standout at Elkhorn South on both lines of scrimmage and in shot put.

Jordan Ochoa, freshman, 6-4, 245: Late add to 2024 class registered 30 QB hurries as at Colorado’s Castle View High School.

Keona Wilhite, freshman, 6-4, 240: Washington signee flipped after coaching change to Huskers and delivers pass-rushing skill.

Synopsis: Terrance Knighton’s group rates on paper as the strength of Rhule’s second team. Robinson, Hutmacher and Butler as a trio demand the attention of any offense. And depth is building behind second-year Huskers Van Poppel and Lenhardt.

Nash Hutmacher made a career-high 40 tackles in 2023. (Dylan Widger / USA Today)

Linebackers (14)

John Bullock, senior, 6-0, 220: Top returnee at position group notched 50 tackles in 10 starts.

MJ Sherman, senior, 6-3, 250: Former elite prospect transferred from Georgia and started five games in 2023.

Javin Wright, senior, 6-5, 215: Broke out in 2023 with 51 tackles after battling multiple injuries over four seasons.

Michael Booker III, junior, 6-1, 210: Walk-on moved from DB and played big role on special teams.

Mikai Gbayor, junior, 6-2, 230: Started four games in first career opportunity and factors heavily in rotation.

Stefon Thompson, junior, 6-1, 250: Improved readiness through winter and spring after transfer from Syracuse.

Taveon Thompson, junior, 6-3, 205: Played in first two games of career last year before move from wide receiver.

Jacob Bower, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 195: An accomplished rugby player and productive high school linebacker out of California.

Gage Stenger, sophomore, 6-2, 190: High school QB looking for chance to make impact.

Princewill Umanmielen, sophomore, 6-4, 240: Second-team freshman All-American recognition sat in the spring to rehab.

Maverick Noonan, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 235: Preseason injury forced redshirt after solid spring last year.

Dylan Rogers, redshirt freshman, 6-3, 235: Growth in first year creates plentiful options for versatile defender out of Texas.

Willis McGahee IV, freshman, 6-1, 230: Early enrolling Miami product brings talent and name recognition.

Vincent Shavers Jr., freshman, 6-1, 205: Top performing early enrollee in spring positioned himself to contribute right away.

Synopsis: There’s a lot to determine still in the middle of Tony White’s defense. The Huskers are experienced, with six juniors and seniors. But younger players like Umanmielen and Shavers will not take a back seat.

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Defensive backs (24)

Isaac Gifford, senior, 6-1, 205: Team leader returns for fifth year after leading Huskers in tackles with 86.

Tommi Hill, senior, 6-0, 195: Realized abundant potential at corner last year with four picks in Big Ten play.

DeShon Singleton, senior, 6-3, 205: Breakout safety suffered season-ending knee injury against Michigan.

Derek Branch, junior, 5-11, 185: Made his collegiate debut last season and recorded a tackle against Northern Illinois.

Koby Bretz, junior, 6-2, 215: Made a jump to appear in 10 games as third-year safety.

Marques Buford Jr., junior, 5-11, 190: Returned from knee injury to start twice in November and preserve redshirt.

Malcolm Hartzog, junior, 5-9, 175: Focusing on safety after making 10 starts last season, including seven at corner.

Blye Hill, sophomore, 6-3, 185: A possible August return looms for projected starting corner and FCS transfer after spring game knee injury.

Ethan Nation, sophomore, 5-10, 160: Returned punts and provided depth in seven-game true freshman year as a corner.

D’Andre Barnes, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 175: Progressed at rover in practice time during first year.

Dwight Bootle II, redshirt freshman, 5-9, 170: Promising first season cut short by injury in third game.

Jeremiah Charles, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 160: Immense athleticism signals bright future at corner for former wideout.

Syncere Safeeullah, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 175: IMG Academy product via Nashville redshirted last year.

Rahmir Stewart, redshirt freshman, 5-11, 200: Played in one game while redshirting out of Philly prep power Imhotep Institute.

Brice Turner, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 175: Rhule’s first commitment moved from receiver midseason in 2023.

Caleb Benning, freshman, 5-11, 185: Standout at safety and receiver from Omaha Westside, Nebraska’s top prep program.

Mario Buford, freshman, 5-11, 170: Early enrolling corner from Texas powerhouse DeSoto joins brother Marques in Lincoln.

Roger Gradney, freshman, 6-0, 205: First commit for 2024 class rose from unknown to four-star status.

Rex Guthrie, freshman, 6-0, 190: Senior season in Colorado was cut short by injury.

Donovan Jones, freshman, 6-0, 185: Intercepted four passes and starred on both sides as Omaha North senior.

Kashmir Prescott, freshman, 6-1, 190: Hard-hitting Wisconsin commit out of Philadelphia flipped to Huskers late.

Braylen Prude, freshman, 6-4, 185: Burst onto recruiting scene at summer Nebraska camp in Houston.

Amare Sanders, freshman, 6-1, 175: Signing-day addition out of Miami is projectable at corner.

Larry Tarver Jr., freshman, 5-10, 170: Another from Miami, early enrollee flipped from FIU and Maryland.

Synopsis: The Huskers continue to stockpile personnel in the defensive backfield. Tommi Hill is an All Big Ten candidate. If Blye Hill makes it back, the potential starting group appears strong. The lineup to provide depth could be quite a battle, just as secondary coach Evan Cooper prefers.

Specialists (5)

Brian Buschini, senior, 6-1, 225: Two-year starting punter downed 20 of 57 kicks last year inside the 20.

Cameron Witucki, junior, 6-2, 225: Possible heir apparent at long snapper has spent four seasons in Lincoln.

Tristan Alvano, sophomore, 6-1, 200: Hit 9 of 15 field goals, including a 55-yarder, but seeks consistency in second season.

Kamdyn Koch, freshman, 6-2, 190: Top-five punter prospect nationally and son of Nebraska punting great Sam Koch.

Nico Ottomanelli, freshman, 6-2, 175: Kicker out of New Jersey made 14 of 17 field goals in high school.

Synopsis: The kicking game was not in midseason form for the spring game. Buschini and Alvano could use a challenge from the freshmen to stay sharp.

(Top photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)

FARGO — An investigation is underway after a garage fire occurred Wednesday night, May 1, near the North Dakota State University campus.

The call came in just before 7 p.m. Someone reported smoke coming from a garage located in an alley in the 1000 block of 17th Street North.

Firefighters put the fire out quickly. Investigators say damage is minimal, just some normal “garage stuff” on the floor burned.

The cause of the fire is not being released.

Officers were seen canvassing the area, including looking under cars in a nearby parking lot.

Investigators were on scene for nearly two hours.

Matt Henson is an Emmy award-winning reporter/photographer/editor for WDAY. Prior to joining WDAY in 2019, Matt was the main anchor at WDAZ in Grand Forks for four years.

During the primary campaign, Kevin Coughlin — now the Republican nominee for Ohio’s 13th Congressional District — committed to pursuing entitlement reform if he’s elected.

“And I know the Democrats are cheering right now that they’re hearing me say that,” Coughlin said. He argued “anyone with eyes and an honest heart” can understand the simple math problem — money is going out the door faster than it’s getting replaced.

He specifically referenced Social Security and Medicaid, which provides health care for people with lower incomes. But Medicare, which provides health care for seniors and some people with disabilities, is typically included in debates about entitlement reform.

Recent projections from the U.S. Treasury indicate the Social Security and Medicare trust funds will become insolvent in 2034 and 2031 respectively.

“(They’re) going to go broke very, very quickly, which isn’t going to mean that (programs are) going to go away, but it’s going to mean that the benefits that people get are going to be cut,” Coughlin argued.

“You have to start thinking about the sustainability of those programs for people who really need them,” he went on. “And so there’s got to be real adult conversations about these things, and proposals put forward with binding votes for Congress to vote on.”

Coughlin’s argument is right in line with decades of Republican doctrine, but maybe not the party’s current standard bearer.

“I made a promise that I will always keep Social Security, Medicare—we always will keep it, we won’t be cutting it,” former President Donald Trump told Dayton rallygoers last March.

Despite insisting from his earliest days as a presidential candidate that he would “save” the big three entitlement programs “without cuts,” last month in a CNBC interview Trump said “there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting.” He hinted at cuts in 2020 as well.

Where Republicans stand

Although Trump has waffled on the issue, Coughlin comes by his position honestly. Back in 2011, when he was flirting with a U.S. Senate run, he made a similar case. Coughlin voiced support for a handful of ideas backed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-WI, who had been tapped as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick and would go on to become House Speaker during the Trump administration.

Those changes include converting Medicare into a voucher program for anyone under 55 at the time. The proposal would also steadily raise the eligibility age to 67 — a position which Coughlin now opposes. Coughlin also pledged support for a balanced budget proposal that would cap spending in such a way that cuts to Medicare and Social Security would likely be unavoidable.

In a written statement for this story, Coughlin blamed the programs’ balance sheets on Democrats, and expressed concerns that “they’ll resort to benefit cuts” to address shortfalls.

“These important programs are going broke because Democrats used them as their personal piggy bank and raided them for wasteful spending and pet projects,” he wrote. “We have to shore up these programs by cutting waste fraud and abuse, not cutting benefits, raising taxes or the retirement age.”

Trump has also used waste fraud and abuse as a fig leaf after backlash to his public comments. But while independent experts contend waste and fraud are significant problems in Medicaid and Medicare, they question whether there’s enough to balance the books. For Social Security, they insist eliminating waste and fraud would do little to close the gap. In a different version of that math problem, they note there are simply too many retirees and not enough workers.

And Couhglin is not alone in raising the idea of entitlement reform.

Early in this year’s U.S. Senate race, all three of Ohio’s Republican candidates floated changes to entitlements.

State Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, was the most explicit. “To have a discussion about spending,” he said, “yes, we’re going to have to recognize we have to reform these entitlements.” Dolan insisted none of the attendees should “sweat” over losing benefits. “But look at the front table here,” he added, “see these young people? I want to make sure that they’re not afraid.”

Sec. of State Frank LaRose said Social Security and Medicaid are “worth looking at,” but warned changes must ensure people within a few decades of becoming beneficiaries aren’t affected. Bernie Moreno, who wound up winning the nomination, insisted Social Security isn’t an entitlement because workers pay into the program, but he criticized the expansion of Medicaid.

In a written statement, Moreno’s campaign reiterated his commitment to opposing cuts to Medicare or Social Security. “Important programs that Americans have spent their lives paying into like Social Security and Medicare should never be put in jeopardy,” he argued. Moreno added that he doesn’t support cutting Medicaid for Americans who are “truly in need,” but he criticized states like California that have extended benefits to undocumented immigrants.

“Which is something that we need to put a stop to immediately,” he said, “The American taxpayer eventually foots the bill.”

Entitlement reform plans in black and white

While Coughlin emphasizes waste fraud and abuse, incumbent lawmakers have floated plans to roll back entitlements more broadly in recent years. They’ve just failed to gain traction.

Recall President Joe Biden needling Republicans during the 2023 State of the Union over plans to make Medicare and Social Security sunset. Despite some Republicans’ jeers, that idea came from a platform advanced by U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-FL. He’s since revised the proposal to exempt the programs.

More recently, the Republican Study Committee unveiled it’s 2024 budget plan which proposes raising the eligibility age for Social Security without specifying what age is appropriate, and converting Medicare to a voucher system. Eight members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation are part of the committee.

What changes would mean in Ohio

“Well, the real question is are we our brothers’ keepers or not,” Jack Frech, the retired director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, said.

After more than three decades there, he served as an executive in residence focused on poverty issue at the Voinovich School at Ohio University.

“And you know it’s interesting that we take a very selective view of math,” Frech said of arguments about entitlement programs’ solvency. “We could also look at the fact that over the same time frame the richest people in this country have gotten ridiculously richer.”

“You know, that’s math, too,” he said.

And while he acknowledged Republicans have put a lot of effort into cutting entitlement programs, Democrats are far from blameless.

“Let’s remember on issues like cash assistance and some of these other programs, it was Bill Clinton and the Democrats whose reform measures ended up resulting in drastic, drastic reductions in assistance through those programs,” he said.

“It’s not as though anybody’s out there who deserves a gold star for the great job they’ve done helping poor people,” Frech said.

He explained programs like Social Security and Medicare provide a lifeline to Ohioans, but they don’t provide a comfortable living. The average monthly Social Security check is about $1,900. The poverty line for an individual breaks down to $1,255 a month.

But the impact doesn’t stop with individuals, he said. “There are communities in southeast Ohio that I’ve looked into that have as much as 70-80% of the medical income they have is coming from those programs.” Similarly, he noted transfer payments make up as much as a quarter of local income in some southeast Ohio counties.

“These are real people who are already struggling,” Frech said, “and you’re basically saying we’re going to solve our financial problem by taking services away from them.”

Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter.